Light

I was out walking my little dog, Gizmo, early one morning and I noticed the sun peeking through the trees. It was just a small dot of light where I was standing, but as I moved, I noticed that the light changed: If I stood in one place, the light was barely coming through. If I stood in another place, it was coming through very brightly. Yet if I took just one more step, I could see a medium mixture of sunlight coming through. This got me to thinking about my faith in several aspects: The Word, Christ followers, Satan & Jesus. We'll begin with The Word.   

The Word: Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path." I like to start my day in a quiet place with a cup of coffee and some praise & worship music softly playing. I have found that if don't spend time in His Word daily, the light grows more and more dim. If I spend more time in His word, The light shines more brightly. God's Word truly is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path! Days that I don't start off in His Word seem to be more of a struggle, and I find that my heart and mind go to dark places versus light ones when I face life's daily trials. I must apply the light daily!

Christ followers: Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house." (Luke 11:33 NLT). This verse is pretty common sense at a glance, but our Lord Jesus had even more to say about His people being a light to the world. If you read on in that chapter through verse 37, He talks about the eye being the light of the body. He even points out the contrast of darkness inside us versus light, entering our body through our eyes. We are to be a light to the world, but at the same time, we need to be careful of what is entering our minds and hearts through our eyes, and whether that will bring light or darkness within. So, what are we allowing in? Are we watching TV, movies, Facebook videos, TikTok videos, etc. which bring in light (good) or are we watching things that bring in darkness (evil)? Are we spending a lot of time surfing social media, following social influencers, etc? "Oh be careful little eyes what you see... oh be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father up above is looking down with love; oh be careful little eyes what you see." We truly have to be careful about what enters our heart and mind through our eyes!

Satan: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬. Satan can take the bad things of this world and make them look pretty: he has the ability to wrap things up in such a pretty package, tie them with a bow and make them so enticing that we fall for it. It is our duty as Christians to be on our toes and to be watching closely everything that comes across our lives. What is pretty on the outside might not be so pretty on the inside! 

Jesus: “Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬. Jesus summed up the light in a way that needs no further explanation. He truly is the light of the world. Then the darkness may try to creep in, darkness and light cannot exist in the same space. As long as we are allowing Jesus to be the light of our lives, he will be the one to guide us in our daily life.

Just like the light coming through the trees is different according to my physical position, it is also different according to my spiritual position. When I move closer to the light, it shines more brightly in and through me. When I step farther away in my walk with God, the light in and through me dims. If I’m lukewarm in my daily walk with God, the light is mixed and moderation, instead of being brought and warm. It is up to me to move closer when I feel the light waning in me!